Chapter Wise Indian History MCQ’s With Explanation

Today’s Topic:Later Vedic Age and The Evolution of Jainism and Buddhism

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Today’s Topic:Later Vedic Age and The Evolution of Jainism and Buddhism

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. The Rig Veda describes Vishvamitra as Kshatriya but Aitareya Brahmana mentions him as a rishi.
2. During the later Vedic age kingship was given the status of divine origin.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: B
Explanation: The Rig Veda describes Vishvamitra as a rishi but Aitreya Brahmana mentions him as kshatriya. During the later Vedic age kingship was consolidating itself as the normal form of government with the states growing both in number and size. The kingship was being given the status of divine origin. There was also emerging the concept of a king of kings.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Q2. Consider the following statements:

1. In the Rig Vedic period society comprised four varnas depending on one’s profession.
2. In the later Vedic period, varnas came to be birth based rather than profession-based.
Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: C
Explanation: In the Rig Vedic period society comprised four varnas depending on one’s profession and within a family, members could follow the professions of different varnas. In later Vedic period, varnas came to be birth based rather than profession-based. The proliferance of professions gave rise to jatis. But the jati system was not yet as rigid as it became during the period of the Sutras.
Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Q3. With reference to the later Vedic Age, consider the following statements:

1. The plough was known as sira and the furraw as sita.
2. Cow dung was used as manure.
3. Money-lending was in vogue.
4. Niska and Satamana were the units of currency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only 1 and 2 b) Only 1 and 3 c) Only 2, 3 and 4 d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: D
Explanation: During the later Vedic Age, the plough was known as sira and the furrow as sita. Cow dung was used as manure. There is mention of six, eight and even twenty-four oxen yoked to a plough. Many kinds of grains were grown such as rice, barley, beans and sesame. Rich merchants have been often referred to. Money-lending was in vogue. Specific weight and measure- units were also known. Niska and Satamana were the units of currency.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Q4. Consider the following statements:

1. Rig Veda mentions two tirthankaras, namely, Rishabhanath and Aristhanemia.
2. Vayu Purana mentions Rishaba as the incarnation of Narayan.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: C
Explanation: Jainism has great antiquity. The names of two Tirthankaras namely, Rishabhanath and Aristhanemia find mention in Rig Veda. Vayu Purana and Bhagwat Purana mention Rishabha as the incarnation of Narayana. A few scholars believe that the nude torso found at Harappa belongs to some Tirthankara. The Jain tradition traces Jainism to a remote antiquity represented by a succession of twenty four Tirthankars. The first Tirthnakara was Rishabhanath.
Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Q5. Which of the following statements?

1. Rishabhanath was the first Tirthankara.
2. Mahavira was the twenty-third Tirthankara.
3. Mahavira was born in Kundagrama.
a) Only 1 and 2 b) Only 1 and 3 c) Only 2 and 3 d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: b
Explanation: The Jain tradition traces Jainism to a remote antiquity represented by a succession of twenty-four Tirthankaras. The first Tirthankara was Rishbhanath. Vardhamana mahavira was the twenty-fourth Tirthankara (not twenty-third). He was the last Tirthankara and was born in the village Kundagrama near Vaisali about 540 B.C.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Q6. With reference to Vardhamana Mahavira, consider the following statements:

1. He was the twenty-fourth Tirthankara.
2. His mother was the sister of Chetaka, Lichchavi noble of Vaisali.
3. He was the last Tinthankara.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only 1 and 2 b) Only 1 and 3 c) Only 2 and 3 d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: d
Explanation: Vardhamana Mahavira was the twenty-fourth and the last Tinthankara. He was born in the village Kundagrama near Vaisali about 540 B.C. his father Siddhartha was the head of famous kshatriya inatrika clan and his mother Trisala was the sister or Chetaka, an emient lichchhavi noble of Vaisali.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Q7. Which of the statements given above is/are correct about Vardhamana Mahavira?

1. His wife name was Yasoda.
2. He attained Kaivalya at Pawapuri.
3. His followers came to be known as Jainas.
a) Only 1 and 2 b) Only 1 and 3 c) Only 2 and 3 d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B
Explanation: According to some Jain traditions, Mahavira was married to Yasoda and lived a life of a householder. He left his home and became an ascetic at the age of thirty. At the age of 42, under a sal tree at Jimbhikagrama (not Pawapuri) as the bank of river Rijipalika, Mahavira attained Kaivalya (supreme Knowledge). His followers were came to be known as Jainas. At the age of 72 in 468 BC, he passed away at Pawapuri near biharsharif in Bihar.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Q8. With reference to the teaching of Mahavira, consider the following statement:

1. Jainism denied the existence of God.
2. The universe is eternal.
3. Rejected the authority of Vedas.
Which of the statement given above is/are correct?
Ans: C
Explanation: Jainism does not deny the existence of gods but refuses to give gods any important part in the universe scheme. The world for Jains is not created, maintained or destroyed by a god but functions through a universal or eternal law. The universe is eternal. It’s existence is divided into cycles of progress and declines. Jainism rejected the authority of the Vedas and do not attach any importance to the performance of sacrifices. Hence, the correct answer is option C.

Q9. According to Jainism salvation is possible by-

1. Abandoning all possessions 2. A long course of fasting
3. Self-mortification 4. Study and meditation
a) Only 1, 2 and 3 b) Only 1, 2 and 4 c) Only 3 and 4 d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: D
Explanation: According to Jainism salvation is possible only by abandoning all possessions, a long course of fasting, self – mortification, study and meditation. Hence, the monastic life is essential for salvation.
Hence, the correct answer is option D

Q10. Match the following

List I (Event) List II (Place)
A. Mahavira’s birthplace 1. Pawapuri
B. Mahavira’s Enlightment 2. Kundagrama
C. Nirvana of Mahavira 3. Jrimbhikagrama
D. First Jain council 4. Patliputra
Code: A B C D
a) 4 1 2 3
b) 1 4 2 3
c) 3 2 1 4
d) 2 3 1 4
Ans: D
Explanation: Mahavira was born in the village Kundagrama near Vaisali about 540 B.C. At the age of 42, under a sal tree at Jimbhi kagrama on the bank of river Rijupalika, he attained Enlightenment. At the age of 72 in 468 B.C., Mahavira passed away at Pawapuri near Biharsharif in Bihar. First Jain Council was held at Patliputra under the chairman ship of Stulabhadra.
Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Q11. Consider the following statements:

1. The leader of the sect Swetamabaras was Sthulabhadra..
2. Jainism was spread in South India under the leadership of Sthulabhadra.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) Only 1 b) Only 2 c) Both 1 and 2 d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: A
Explanation: After the death of Mahavira, doing the reign of king Chandragupta Maurya, a severe famine led to a great exodus of Jain monks from the Ganga Valley to the south India, where they established important centers of Jainism. Bhadrabahu, who led the emigrants, insisted on the retention of the rule of nudity which Mahavira had established. Sthulabhadra, the leaders of the monks who remained in the north, allowed his flowers to wear white garments. Hence arose the two sects of the Jains, the Digambaras (sky-clad, i.e., naked) and Swetambaras.
Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Q12. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Chandragupta Maurya patronized Jainism.
2. Jain under the leadership of Bhadrabahu migrated to south India due to confront with Chandragupta Maurya.
3. Dhadrabahu was the leader of Digambaras sect.
a) Only 1 and 2 b) Only 1 and 3 c) Only 2 and 3 d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: B
Explanation: It is said that about two hundred years after the death of Mahavira a terrible famine broke out in Magadha. At that time Chandragupta Maurya was the King, and Bhadrabahu was the chief of the Jain community. These two with their followers, went to Karnataka, leading Sthulabhadra incharge of Jains.
Bhadrabahu was the leader of Digambaras sect and Sthulabhadra was the leader of Swetambaras sect.
Jainism reached the highest point in Chandragupta Muarya’s time in Kalinga, it was greatly patronized by Kharavela in the first century A.D.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Q13. Which of the following are included in the Eight Fold Path prescribed by Buddha?

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